Russia presents a greater threat to European Union security than just military defense, as it can leverage illegal immigration and other strategies to destabilize the bloc, according to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Speaking on Sunday, Meloni highlighted that the threat extends beyond traditional defense concerns, mentioning the potential for Moscow to influence migration patterns and cause disruption in the EU through various means.

Meloni, who leads Italy’s conservative government, was speaking after attending a summit in Finland with the leaders of Sweden, Greece, and the EU’s foreign affairs chief. The meeting focused on regional security in the Nordic and Mediterranean areas, as well as migration challenges in southern Europe.

"The threat is much broader than we realize," Meloni said, emphasizing that even if the conflict in Ukraine ends, the EU must remain vigilant against continued external threats. "It’s about our democracy, influencing public opinion, events in Africa, access to raw materials, and the weaponization of migration," she explained, stressing the need for a comprehensive security approach.

The Prime Minister called on the EU to enhance border protection, warning against Russia or criminal organizations manipulating migration flows to undermine EU security. Several EU countries, including Finland and Estonia, have accused Russia of facilitating illegal migration from the Middle East and other regions into the EU, without proper checks, further compromising the bloc’s security.

Meloni argued that the EU has previously mishandled the issue of immigration, focusing too much on burden-sharing instead of addressing border security. "Dealing with illegal immigration solely as a solidarity issue was a mistake," she said. "We have failed to protect our borders, and we cannot let Russia or criminal groups undermine our security."

While acknowledging that NATO remains central to EU security, Meloni stressed that the bloc must address broader challenges such as protecting critical infrastructure, tackling cybersecurity threats, securing supply chains, and developing a more effective foreign and cooperation policy. "Security involves all these areas, not just defense," she concluded.